Broughton: From Wellington Bombers to the A380

Abstract

The design and manufacture of commercial aircraft is a complex, high-value activity that integrates multiple technologies and technical disciplines in an increasingly global context. In the same way that air travel has led to increased global integration, the conception and manufacture of civil aircraft has improved the levels of cooperation between countries and cultures. This paper describes the development and industrialisation of a manufacturing process that was used to impart shape to a critical aerodynamic surface of the World's largest commercial aircraft at the Airbus in the UK manufacturing facility in Broughton — the Airbus A380. The work was carried out over a four-year period between 1998 and 2002 concluding with the delivery of the components in the early part of 2003 for the structural assembly process for the first set of A380 wings. Ultimately this has proved Broughton to be at the vanguard of wing manufacturing expertise. But the foundation of Broughton's aeronautical experience started long before then.

Keywords:

• A380
• CREEP FORMING
• WING SKIN
• BROUGHTON